Today is Mother's Day in the United States, a day when commercial places leap to make money from guilt ridden people all over the country, but it is also a day when people have the chance to just express their love and gratitude for the mothers, or mother figures who have cared for and loved them all their lives.
For me the thoughts far exceed any more commercial gifts. I have been and am a well-loved mother. I worked hard to become a mother and I tried to be the best one I knew how to be after that. I think that is the story for most mothers. We love our children and do our best.
It occurs to me that the reason I was so vulnerable to being scammed is that I had never come in contact with anyone who really wanted to hurt me or take advantage of me before my scammer. (Other than my ex and he was certainly a known opponent.)
I am an intelligent woman, not easily fooled by malice or violence, but someone using love like this was totally new to me. It left its mark. This Mother's Day I woke up feeling anxious and somewhat grimy.
Love has become suspect in my life and that is a shame. Something as sweet and pure as love should never be used for nefarious purposes. Yet it is all the time and now that I have once fallen victim to it, I am marked. I have been the mark, and it makes me feel like a fallen woman.
I will get over this. I am surrounded by real love. I am one of the lucky ones whose family and friends have rallied round, but I will always sympathize with those who have also been targeted. To violate the heart of another is perhaps the most heinous of crimes.
This Mother's Day I remember that the best thing I can do for my children is to set a good example. That is the most useful and purposeful gift in the world. I will show them I can not only recover from this, but I will thrive!
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